The transnational corporation Kraft Foods Argentina recently laid off 150 workers. After the extensive union mobilization in Buenos Aires held on 26 August by the Food Workers Union (STIA) and supportive unions, the company finally agreed to comply with the legal framework and agreed to the "compulsory arbitration” decreed by the Ministry of Labor. Sirel dialogued with Rodolfo Daer, General Secretary of STIA, who reported the present status of this conflict.

 

-What has happened since the union action of 26 August?

-Firstly, STIA held a Plenary Session with 84 Kraft shop-stewards from all over the country. In that session our first words were to express our acknowledgment to the IUF solidarity in this dispute.

 

There was a very rich discussion, both in terms of firm convictions on solidarity and also in terms of methodology for conflict development. In this sense emphasis was placed in the fact that unions need to be within legal limits and, in this case, the compulsory arbitration period for unions provides that no industrial action can be implemented during such period and that the company must suspend the decisions that led to conflict and must abstain from taking new decisions in that sense.

 

During the first days we struggled for the company to abide by these terms, to stop the lock out and to allow the laid off workers to enter the plant. After mobilization, and also after the international projection of this conflict through the IUF, Kraft Argentina allowed dismissed workers to enter the plant, although they were not allowed to take their positions in order to attend supposed training sessions.

 

-What was the result of the Plenary session?

-There were two motions: one of them proposed a national 24-hour strike and the preparation of a plan of struggle; while the other one was to approve the actions taken by the Union Council and empower the Council to take action conducive to the reinstatement of laid off workers, abiding by the legal framework in force. The latter motion was approved by a wide majority.

 

Unfortunately, the Internal Commission of the plant in conflict decided against the Shop Steward Plenary, they resolved to encourage a breach of the compulsory arbitration and took partial industrial action in the production process.

 

-Did the plant finally go on strike?

-Yes, unilaterally, the Internal Commission implemented a 24-hour strike. The Ministry of Labor sent inspectors who verified the violation of the compulsory arbitration conditions. In our opinion, this childish attitude of the Internal Commission is playing the game of Kraft management who tramples on the laws of our country

 

-What are the prospects, then?

-We will go to the factory to meet with workers of both shifts and make clear that we reject unilateral action beyond the legal framework because all records show that these type of law infringement always leads to a negative outcome for organized workers.